THE VIRTUES OF THE BUDDHA AND THAI SOCIETY’S PERCEPTION IN THE CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT

Abstract

This research article aims to (1) examine the meaning of Buddhaguna (the virtues of the Buddha), (2) investigate Thai people’s perceptions of Buddhaguna, and (3) analyze the factors influencing the interpretation of Buddhaguna in contemporary contexts. The study employs a qualitative research approach through documentary research, collecting and analyzing both primary and secondary sources, including Buddhist canonical texts, commentaries, and related scholarly works.

The findings reveal the following: Buddhaguna carries two principal meanings. The first refers to the personal qualities of the Buddha, who cultivated the perfections, eliminated defilements, and attained the state of arahant—characteristics inherent to all Buddhas across past and future ages. The second meaning is associated with external factors such as birth, lineage, and social background. The perception of Buddhaguna among Thai people varies significantly across different groups, shaped by levels of education and cultural contexts. The factors influencing the interpretation of Buddhaguna in contemporary society include communication, traditional beliefs, and religious rituals. These mechanisms have transformed the canonical meaning—from emphasizing the human qualities of disciplined self-cultivation that lead to Buddhahood—into symbolic associations with sacredness, mystical power, and supernatural beliefs.

The study concludes that modern communication plays a critical role in shaping the public understanding of Buddhaguna. Therefore, it highlights the importance of promoting awareness among Buddhists to comprehend Buddhaguna in accordance with its canonical meaning in the Tipiṭaka, rather than reducing it to materialistic or superstitious faith.